Prometheus (2012)

Swimming with questions that are yet to be answered, Prometheus is one of the most significant contributions to the sci-fi genre in recent years and a comeback for Ridley Scott into the genre that first led him to stardom.

In the year 2089, archaeologists Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green) find a cave mural in Scotland where the same star map that adorns many other ancient pieces of art in several ancient civilizations is featured. They think of it as an invitation to meet their creators and so are set on a journey to find them. In the year 2093, after over two years of travelling, they arrive on a moon called LV-223 which was the only one in the star map to contain the same kind of atmosphere as Earth. Exuberant and eager to finally meet their makers, the two scientists, along with a few others, set out to explore a structure they believe to house clues about the whereabouts of these humanoids or maybe even the humanoids themselves. Upon entering the structure, they set off trackers to create a map of the pathways and chambers that constitute the dome and are led to a sealed wall that houses something truly remarkable on the other side. They find the body of one of these humanoids and once David (Michael Fassbender), their android assistant, opens the door, they find the missing head that the door decapitated. They decide to take the head back to the spaceship, “Prometheus”, but not until they notice an array of strange-looking vases that seem to emit a layer of precipitation because of the change in atmospheric structure. The murals on the ceiling of the chamber also seem to change as a result of the team’s presence and Shaw insists that they leave the structure at once for fear of contamination. Meanwhile, David furtively packs one of these vases into his backpack to take it back on board the ship for further investigation. Because two members of the expedition got lost in the maze of tunnels of the dome, they are forced to spend the night because of a storm. They encounter a fatal blow that impacts the entire crew later on with Charlie being poisoned by the slime from one of the vases. It all starts spiralling down from there, and what they thought would be a peaceful reunion with their makers turns out to be a hostile trip to their supposed deaths. Will they be able to escape before all hope is lost, and what is really in the substance of those vases?

First of all, I just want to say that the movie is visually gorgeous with remarkably shot settings of mountains and rivers that are absolutely breathtaking. I was surprised to hear that all of the sets were actually built by hand instead of using a green screen to animate it. I don’t think there are many directors these days who are willing to keep their vision authentic and palpable but, all the sets including the ship and the chambers of the dome were epic in every proportion and were surprisingly tactile and wonderful especially brought out by the 3D format that the movie was originally shot in. Not only were the sets unfathomable to the senses but the characters were more so. My favorite character would have to be David played by the expertly rigid Michael Fassbender. When you have to play such a soulless character it is always a challenge to get it just right because the actors are just people and we have human emotions that need to be tamed in order to portray the right kind of mindset that a robot would have. But then again it is an infinite variety of paths which could be explored because we don’t fully know what it would be like to be a robot so it is most crucial to have the legendary direction of Ridley Scott to guide you in the role of such an enigmatic and unpredictable character. We all knew the potential of Noomi Rapace as an acclaimed actress due to her performance in the international “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” series and I think Scott made the right choice in casting her as the vehicle of this film. Her character displayed probably the most heart and kindness in a crew filled with stone cold intentions and just the need to fulfill their mission whereas she had a real purpose that tied in with her past and her search for answers for which she had questions when she was just a little girl. It was rather traumatic seeing her character suffer so much during the span of the film, but powerful in the sense that she still was willing to go further despite the cracks that adorn her soul. Another fantastic performance was shown by the ravishing Charlize Theron. Her character, Vickers, lurking in the shadows and being the puzzle that you try to solve without success was the cherry on the cake in this production. Although her screen presence could be seen as a minor influence in the plot, it was a triumphant moment in her career to play a character with so many layers although you get the feeling that she is a nuisance without a soul. Almost robotic in a sense.

The plot I thought was fascinating and compelling while viewing the film, but once you exit the theater, it starts to dawn on you that there are many plot holes or flaws that arise in the story. It may be a good reason to go back and watch it again and again, but there are so many points where you realize that you’re questioning the complexities of the characters’ actions and why a certain event happened and how did this happen in the first place. It all fits in with the occult theory of sci-fi and how we are bedazzled by the many unanswered questions of a story created with the future in mind. Thought-provoking and provocative in many ways, the pacing is what makes it go by so quickly, making us just appreciate the spectacle and the main message of the movie that probably prods at our mind every once in a while.

There are many strong pointers and messages which have been the spotlight of countless other films in recent years and one of them is a strong female protagonist who leads the way. The character Elizabeth Shaw is a perfect example of female fragility and vulnerability while still possessing a steadfast and decisive nature which emanates like a light source to every corner of the theater. A force to be reckoned with, she knows what is right and what is wrong, and is understanding of even those who are treated indifferently by others. I felt that the scene where she runs to get the c-section is her most powerful scene in the film; where she is looking out for herself despite all the precautions and inhibitions that the head of the crew have imposed upon her. It has an effective outreach to the American viewers because of the way abortions are seen by many in this country and that most women only get them because they fear for their life or their future because of some frightening instances that they have experienced in the past. It begs the question if you should actually look at the situation from the point of view of a person who is actually carrying a life-form inside of them, instead of judging them about potentially killing it when it could lead to a life of misery if not removed. Just to clear something up, a cell which grows inside a woman cannot be considered a life form with its own rights. Logically, it is the mother who should be looked out for and listened to instead of a hypothetical being which might be born one day. It can be argues that it was an alien and not a human being which she had in her stomach, but the parallels are in many ways obvious when it comes to what’s going on in this country.

Another particularly fascinating aspect of the story is of course humanity’s fascination with outer space and if we’re not alone in the Universe. We constantly strive to further our technological advancements in order to get closer to the truth, with some disputing that God is the ultimate deity who created us, while others stating that it was evolution which might have been influenced by creatures outside of our galaxy countless years ago. Fighting to prove who’s right, the battle has gotten out of hand countless times during this world’s history all because our egoistic, self-righteous nature to come out on top. And the movie does bring up the dispute of science against faith in the unproven presence of a God. But what some don’t understand is, whether it is a God or not that you believe in, we should be the writers of our own history and not leave fate to decide how our life will turn out. Yes, Christianity has taught us to be kind to others, but it has also been perverted to fit the agenda of those who run it. We must take charge of our own destiny while striving to move forward and claim the upper hand in knowledge and self-fulfillment. This also accentuates the title, “Prometheus”, and the legend of his crime against the gods for the good of mankind, which ties in with the development of the story and what you choose to learn from it.

There are too many other intricacies which will take a while to list and discuss, so I’ll leave you guys to figure it our for yourselves and take what you find meaningful from this film. Although this film is said to be a stand alone picture from the Alien series, I definitely think of it as a prequel when you think of the ending and the details scattered throughout. From the various theories about what the movie truly hold as its backbone, to the depth of the characters and their motivations, Prometheus is as tactile as the sets that were built to portray it and is worthy of the legacy which Ridley Scott has built from the ground up.

The Woman in Black (2012)

Marking Daniel Radcliffe’s first film since finishing the Harry Potter series, The Woman in Black is one of the most chilling ghost stories to hit theatres in recent years. Filled with scares, thrills and chills; it’s sure to make you believe in the vengeful spirit of those that moved on and the frightening stories behind them.

A young lawyer from London named Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe) is sent on a trip to a remote village in England to recover the paperwork of a deceased owner who lived in a house that the locals believe to be haunted. Arthur hopes to be able to finish his duty without any delay, prompting him to move briskly in his search of the house. He has plans for his son to come visit him at the village for a short vacation, in search of finding happiness after the death of his beloved wife. After visiting the house for the first time, he sees a black figure of a woman on the property and becomes curious about the history of the manor. The village residents urge him to leave the place urgently so as not to upset her spirit. After witnessing the death of two children, and a couple of disturbed parents whose children have died some time ago, he decides to fall deeper down the rabbit hole and help the woman in black recover what she is looking for. Will his efforts anger her or please her, only God knows; but maybe it will make him realize the most important things in his life and the need to let go of the past in hopes of a better future. Their stories intertwine, but are they ready to let go of the past just yet?

Many horror films that came out in recent years required gore and violence to please the audience, but this film is one of the more unconventional horror releases of the 21st century that stick to the art of storytelling. Replacing gore and violence, for chilling apparitions and the horrifying stories behind their grudges is an admirable step in the outlying minority of horror films. Taking a risk has always been a perpetual part of making movies, and the persistence of everyone taking part in this production has not been done in vain. When it all comes down to what we think about horror, pictures of blood and raw violence pop into our heads; but this film chose to take on a story set in the early 20th century about the spine tingling mystery of a woman who has lost something that was precious to her, and never receiving any recognition from it, even in death. That is what fascinates me most about her past. It’s a jab at our constant fascination with death and the constant thoughts we have about the afterlife and if it in fact exists.

The cinematography was presented luridly but at the same time neutrally, with the harsh juxtaposition of stark whites and blacks being mixed together in montage to create an eerie feel of a portending spirit and the relentless task she has pursued for so long. It comes down ultimately to the score to pull off a one-two punch and send us on a trip to hell and back. The unwanted silence and the fear that builds up to any moment of fright, is never truly relieved by the feeble murmurs and wailing sounds of music. The tension is everlasting and makes the film so much more compelling and captivating to watch.

Daniel’s acting was surprisingly impressive and very daring. I especially liked the part where it’s just him walking around the house and there is no dialogue whatsoever. The only downturn for me was probably the ending, because it seemed so abrupt and almost like it was cut short. You expect a happy ending and in a way it probably was, but it didn’t seem that way at all. The woman in black will still continue haunting children and brutally killing them because of her continued belligerence and grudging mindset. She will ultimately never be at peace and she has herself to blame for the devastation she caused to the residents of the town who did nothing wrong. Besides all the gloominess and ghastly surroundings, there is a point that is conveyed in this story. First of all, you must let go of the past and live in the present and for the future. The woman in black and Arthur’s situations correlate and ultimately define their actions. Except Arthur chose to live for the benefit of his son, while the ghost chose to make other people’s lives miserable because of her green-eyed jealousy and agro towards the death of her long lost son. Everyone has a choice when they are dealt a loss, and unfortunately some can’t handle it as well as others. The most important thing is to not let yourself wallow in your pity for too long, letting the loss devour you whole. It’s a bit of a cautionary notice, but something we can all relate to nonetheless.

Overall, it’s a surprise hit that’s sure to be popular with horror fans all over the world even if it doesn’t include the quintessential attributes of a typical horror. Expect your eyes to be wide open for even the most shocking revelations, and squinting in the quietest of moments because that’s when she will strike. Adrenaline will rush through your veins when dead silence approaches, and that’s when you know the film has achieved its desired effect. Your senses will guide you on the journey ahead, and stop you dead in your tracks during the last minutes of it. Classical in tone, but revolutionary in genre and the current movie scene.

Coraline (2009)

From the man who directed The Nightmare Before Christmas comes an eerie tale of a girl who wanted more out of her life and in return had to pay a heavy price. A motion picture that’s sure to stop you in your tracks and make you think about the things you once took for granted.

Coraline Jones (voiced by Dakota Fanning) has just moved into a new house located in Oregon after living a happy life in Michigan. She sets out to explore the property and land that surrounds the place and meets Wybie, a talkative boy who lives with his grandma in a neighboring house. After coming home, her mom (voiced by Teri Hatcher) gives her a doll that looks just like her with a note from Wybie on it. She suspects him of deliberately making the doll look like her but he confesses that he found it in his grandma’s trunk chest. With her mom and dad concentrating intensely on their business goals and apathetic to her requests, she explores their home and discovers a mysterious little door hidden behind the wallpaper in one of the rooms. She is absolutely restless in her attempt to get to know what wonderful world lies behind it and one night she finally finds out. It is a mirror image of where she currently lives except for the fact that everything is much more amusing and fun for a girl such as her. The only catch is if she wants to stay in this world forever, she must sew buttons into her eyes like the rest of the people living there. Once refusing to do this, the Other-Mother imprisons her and warns her that she will stay here forever if she doesn’t sew buttons into her eyes. The Other-Wylie, who can’t talk, rescues her and sends her back to the real world. The only problem is her real parents are nowhere to be found, which hints at the possibility of the inevitable. Coraline must go back to the dream world and rescue her parents so she makes a deal with the Other-Mother that if she finds the eyes of the other children that were lured into her trap, her parents, the spirits of the children and herself will be free. Will Coraline face up to the challenge and realize that her real parents are better than any other, or will she lose the game and share the fate of the other children before her?

First of all I absolutely loved that this film is so unconventional in style to so many other children’s films. It’s almost like a toned down horror film that lets children with an eye for scares get a taste of what a real horror film may be like. The characters are unforgettable, the score is perfect and the animation is eye-blowing. The shivers that go down your spine are no joke and the whole dark gothic look of the production emphasizes the frightening quality of the dream world and how it transcends its dark magic to the real world. I was really drawn to the elaborately put together outfits of the characters and how they made them so tiny yet compatible and stylish for the individual character. The Other-Mother’s dresses were absolutely extreme and every time she lost a layer of cordiality, a new layer of dress came on that made her look rigid and terrifying in the eye’s of the viewer but at the same time revealing her true colors. As far as the characters go I wanted to get to know a little bit more about the Other-Mother because she is such a secretive creature and the film didn’t really explain why she turned out the way that she did. Did she lose a child of her own or something entirely different? We’ll never know for sure, but I think that aspect would have made the film a complete to a much bigger extent. After finishing this film you would definitely feel like it should have been a little bit longer. The supporting characters were definitely whimsical and out-of-this-world, but some of the Russian Mr Bobinsky spoke was a little off.

I have to say that the message of the film is rather simple and has been done before, but the little twists and turns are what make this film truly unique. In the end she realized that there is nothing better than her real parents and the people who are there in person as opposed to how you want to see those people. You can’t have what you want all the time, so hopefully Coraline understands the different personalities and difficulties other people have and she’s got to learn how to be harmonious with them and her surroundings. Life brings many changes your way and some may be unfavorable or pleasant but you have to make it work to your advantage. It happens to everyone, but it was definitely beneficiary for Coraline to experience it while she is young. Like the slogan says, “be careful what you wish for”, because after a while it may not be what you want entirely and you will regret it. Just be content with what you have and you will find that your life is the dream you want to live.

Overall, it’s a darker fantastic, distorted version of Alice in Wonderland and brings back some of the magic that drew people to Henry Selick’s previous films. The film might also remind people of the wild productions that Tim Burton staged such as Corpse Bride and his rendition of Alice in Wonderland. Definitely one of the top films on the stop-motion film charts and would delight anyone who is a fan of Selick’s work and the genre it falls into.